Body Image: The Primary Effects Of Obesity

Childhood obesity has a huge impact on a child’s physical appearance and can result in additional psycho-social consequences, such as low self-esteem, social alienation, and lack of self confidence (Doak & Visscher 2006). There is a great need for understanding the risk factors along with possible health related concerns. The American Obesity Association claims that, “Along with the rise in childhood obesity, there has been an increase in the incidence and prevalence of medical conditions in children and adolescents that had been rare in the past (American Obesity Association 2006).” These concerns just compound the psychological implications of depression concerning children. Pediatricians and childhood obesity researchers are reporting more frequent cases of obesity related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension that once were considered adult conditions (American Obesity Association 2006). Also, overweight and obesity can lead to adverse metabolic effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides (World Health Organization 2006).

Per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in three children age two to nineteen in America are obese or overweight, putting them at risk for serious comorbidities. Like many illnesses, obesity reduces the life expectancy and quality of life of those affected. The impact of obesity on children and adolescents’ physical, social and emotion wellbeing can be extremely devastating. The body mass index which most obese children suffer from limit their ability of be mobile. In addition to this, they may endure a change in their academic performance due to their health status. Obese children are less likely to perform to their full potential in school (Wang and Veugelers, 2013). On an emotional level, many obese children and adolescents suffer from low-self-esteem. These self-confidence issues may arise as they start feeling self-conscious about their weight. Unfortunately, at this age, kids tend to highly value their peers’ opinions. This can be negative or positive depending on the individual, but it is most likely going to be negative for obese children. Their peers’ opinions can impact the way they view themselves. Bullying can become a problem, as they constantly worry about their peers teasing them about their weight. It is not easy building self-confidence when one’s self-image is constantly are belittled and scrutinized. Per Wang and Veugelers (2013), a study shows that children’s self-esteem and academic performance decrease due to obesity. Adolescence is a phase in which a person builds and develops not only self-confidence, but his or her personality. Due to this fact, it is extremely important for them to have a strong self-esteem and personality as they grow Moreover, it is essential for policymakers to focus on creating programs to reduce obesity among children because it is the easiest, and best way to lower the national obesity rate. Children are constantly growing in

Obesity is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Obesity often begin in childhood and is linked to many psychological problems such as asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors in childhood. Childhood obesity is related to increased mortality and morbidity in adulthood as many obese children grow up to become obese adults (Johnson, 2016). In the last 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents. In the United States, the percentage of children aged six to eleven years who were obese seven percent in 1980 has increased to eighteen percent in 2012. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height, whereas obesity is having excess body fat. Childhood obesity can lead both immediate and long term effects on health and well-being. Obese children are likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A population based sample of five to seventeen year old shows 70% obese children have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Obese children and adolescents are at risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as poor self-esteem and stigmatization. Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2

There have been studies conducted to find out what has caused or what the leading factors to obesity are. Researchers are currently still doing research to find out what causes or what may be the lead to obesity. Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition which considers a child to be obese if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. (Rendall., Weden, Lau, Brownell, Nazarov & Fernandes, 2014). Obesity is on a rise in the Unites States and all over the world and can lead or result to other health complications later in life. The crucial breakdown serves as an implication of outlining childhood obesity, collaborating problems of the disease and resolutions, as well as applying critical thinking to give a complete approach to deliver information on childhood obesity. This will be done through citation of scholarly articles, samples and other modes of supporting details.

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There is also continued increase in the proportion of children at risk of being overweight (Puhl & Latner, 2007). Childhood and adolescent obesity and overweight trend increased considerably between 1999 and 2004. However, the trend seemingly leveled between 2005 and 2006, and then surged in subsequent years. In 2008, the estimated obesity prevalence rate among children and adolescents of 2-19 years of age was 16.3 percent and overweight prevalence rate was 31.9 percent (Fleming et al., 2008). In 2010, it was estimated that 38 percent of children in the European Union and 50 percent of children in North America were overweight. This dramatic increase in childhood obesity is likely to have considerable long-term impact for economics and public health. If not reversed, the public health obesity toll is likely to continue rising as children and adolescents enter adulthood and start experiencing delayed and usually life threatening obesity complications (Fleming et al., 2008). In addition, there is increasing concerns regarding the vulnerability of many children to the adverse emotional and social obesity consequences. The effects of some of these consequences may be immediate with undesirable health outcomes and potentially lasting effects (Puhl & Latner, 2007). Childhood obesity is specifically problematic because it is not only linked to various comorbid physical and psychological problems but also adult obesity predictors and mortality risk factor (Werthmann et al.

This increased prevalence of childhood obesity has correlated with a rise in serious health concerns, once only seen in adults including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and asthma (Freedman, Srinivansan, Berenson, Dietz, 2007; Whitloc, Williams, Gold, Smith, Shipman, 2005; Han, Lawlor, Kimm, 2010). Additionally children who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for being bullied, experiencing psychological distress, mental disorders such as depression and anxiety and low self -esteem (Halfon, Larson, Slusser, 2013). Furthermore, obesity in childhood is a strong predictor of adulthood obesity and therefore a precursor to more serious health consequence throughout the lifespan (Halfon et. al, 2013).

The number of overweight children in America has increased at an alarming rate. Today it is estimated that more than one-third of children and teens are overweight or obese (CDC, 2004). Obesity is the result of excess body fat. It is difficult defining obesity in younger people. Research shows that children who are obese are more likely to grow up to be overweight as an adult (CDC, 2004). Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma (CDC, 2004). Despite the increase in public awareness, overweight children often are teased and excluded from social activities, which can lead to low-self esteem and poor body images. Bullying can increase negative feeling including anxiety

The alarming increase in obesity that is a big problem today and was not problem in the past. “According to estimates from the Canadian Community Health Survey, rates of overweight and obesity have risen sharply in the two decades and one in four Canadian children is overweight”. Clearly, obesity not just a cosmetic problem, but it is a health hazard that result in many diseases such as” high blood, raised cholesterol and insulin levels, type 2 diabetes, and bone and joint problems”. Evidently, Obesity has also many negative effects with psychosocial on a children’s life such as poor self confident. Early onset of obesity in children has serious consequences and health concerns for them. Children who are exposed to poor eating habits, a sedentary

Topic: Childhood Obesity Introduction I. Attention-getter: Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. Childhood obesity can lead to poor self-esteem and depression. II.

Recent statistics have shown that childhood obesity has reached global epidemic status. In the United States alone, approximately 34% of adolescents and young adults are considered obese or overweight (Pbert et al, 2013). The rates are equally concerning across the world and appear to have rates that are disproportionate among minorities and low-income families. The root causes include factors that are genetic, environmental, societal and developmental, but it is largely caused by controllable factors such as unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity. The condition is fraught with significant risk factors such as depression, low-esteem and a further increased risk of becoming obese adults. Furthermore, there is an increased risk of adult-onset diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (Pbert et al, 2014).

Childhood obesity is growing very rapidly all over the world. Childhood obesity can go further into adulthood. Obesity causes different kinds of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It has psychological effects. For example, obese children have lower self-esteem, negative body image and suffer from depression and poor academic performance. There are many factors that result in obesity. They have unhealthy eating style, lack of physical activity are the main factors for obesity. Frequent consumption of high calorie foods like fast foods, fatty and sugary foods also contribute to weight gain. Playing games and watching TV for long hours also prevent children from having regular physical activities. In this literature review different intervention studies are investigated to see how effective they are to reduce childhood obesity.

Body image may be viewed as the way people see themselves and even imagine how they make look based off how they may feel about themselves. Yet it could also be viewed as the way other people see you. Body image, in medicine and psychology refers to a person 's emotional attitudes, beliefs and views of their own body (Positive and Negative Body Image). According to Positive and Negative Body Image, a negative body image develops when a person feels his or her body does not amount up to family, social, or media standards. Many people feel as if they don’t measure up to the belief of others. People who have accepted the way they look often feel good about their image and would be considered to have a positive body image. One’s appearance may not be measure up to how their family expects it to be or how it is perceived to be in the media, but once people learn accept and be proud of the way they look they’ll be better off in the long run. When a person is measured against the standards of the beauty seen frequently in the media and it doesn’t compare to how they feel about themselves it become discouraging. Having said that, long-lasting negative body image can affect both your mental and physical health which could lead to eating disorders down the road.

During the last 30 years, society has witnessed the alarming rate at which childhood obesity has grown. Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. It affects more than 30 percent of children, making it the most common chronic disease of childhood (“What is Childhood Obesity”). It causes not only physical medical issues, but psychological issues as well. Yet, it seems to be accepted by society as the new norm. However, the negative effects of such disease may last a lifetime and it should not be taken lightly. Obese children are at risk for developing a range of serious physical and mental health problems in the short and long term (Mahoney and Lord)

As an obese person that can’t get the help they need to get healthy, they begin to get more and more unstable. Not only physically do they get worse, but their self image begins to deteriorate. Their self image begins to deteriorate because they feel as though they are not as good as the thin people in society. This deterioration of self image is talked about by pediatric obesity expert, Maria Gouveia. In her study of pediatric obesity she found out that, “As expected, obese youth reported worse QOL and higher levels of psychological problems than their normal weight peers. Similar findings have been identified in several studies [4–6, 17, 20, 24], suggesting a consistent relationship between obesity and poorer psychosocial outcomes” (Gouveia 2634).